Barbotine Apple Baker (Poumier)
The other potter we visited on our October trip to France, sponsored by the French Trade Commission, was Philippe Beltrando-Barbotine, who makes pottery that is beautiful, rich, heavy, with gorgeous glazes, and of the highest quality.
These Apple Bakers are Great!. Holding up to six apples at a time, just add apples and spices, place in the oven, and Voila! You'll be making baked apples throughout the fall and winter. (By the way, a recipe is included!)
We have a friend who has discovered another use for her Poumié: as a snack or hors d'oeuvres dish. Fill each compartment with olives, nuts, crackers, whatever. You'll find it handy all year round.
And Philippe's pottery has earned the coveted EPV* designation, one of the French Living Heritage companies, honored as an artisan of excellence. He certainly deserves it.
*The
Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company, or EPV) label is a
mark of recognition of the French Ministry of the Economy, Industry and
Employment, put in place to reward French firms for the excellence of their
traditional and industrial skills. The companies, their products, and their
manner of production are carefully examined, and only a few are considered
worthy of the designation. The EPV label requires a number of specific
criteria, including: “They put into practice rare skills that draw on a mastery
of traditional techniques.”
My! We can't keep this one in stock. We hope to be arranging for a new shipment from Barbotine soon. Call for more information.